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April 2017 News

Regional photographer unlocks 2017 with latest 24-year project picture

Snappers take to streets every New Year’s Day

Eleven newspapers close as parent company ceases trading

“Steady decline in advertising and readership” blamed

Sports journalist banned three times by Ferguson dies aged 81

Tributes to reporter who also saved football club from European exit

Former editor launches bid to combat irresponsible suicide reporting

Lecturer to host conference aimed at regional journalists

Wife-beater suspended from abuse helpline job loses IPSO complaint

But watchdog expresses concern he didn’t get chance to respond

Regional daily relaunches rural supplement in weekend revamp

Changes also made to politics and sport coverage

Ex-editor returns to run hometown daily and flagship sister titles

Return for news chief currently working in digital role

Lucky mistake bags former deputy editor thousands on Grand National

Extra zero added to stake by accident

New seniors celebrate after recording third-highest NQJ pass rate

All the successful candidates from March’s exam

Ex-journalist ‘luckiest person alive’ after ear infection almost killed her

Mother left completely paralysed and in a coma

Weekly reporter speaks out over role in BBC tribunal dismissal

Journalist says pair joked about news desk misinformation

Would-be seniors ‘not maintaining shorthand skills’ say examiners

Round-up of what the examiners said about the March NQJ

Award win for journalist who trained on hometown paper

Top performers from latest senior exams announced

Former regional journalist who founded own news agency dies aged 81

Tributes to reporter who set up Michael Parkinson with wife to be

Trinity Mirror websites to carry ‘most accurate weather forecasts in world’

Publisher launches content sharing deal with forecaster

Newly-launched weekly up for five Regional Press Awards as shortlists unveiled

Northern heavyweights lead way in race for prizes

Tips on choosing a journalism course

Emma Clark, former marketing and communications manager for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, offers her advice on choosing between journalism courses.
Recently I've attended numerous careers fairs around the country, meeting students of all ages keen to break into journalism - whether that be in newspapers, television, radio or magazines. And of course, all students want to know which journalism course they should go on and whether they need NCTJ qualifications.

A quick look at the trainee job ads on HTFP demonstrates the importance of gaining the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Many adverts require candidates to have, or be awaiting results for, their NCTJ Diploma.

Trying to break into the industry without it makes a tough task almost impossible. With the rise in tuition fees, choosing the right journalism course is even more important than ever and students need to be sure they are learning the vocational skills required by employers, enabling them to hit the ground running when they enter the newsroom.

Employers know that an NCTJ-trained applicant will be able to find and construct stories, understand media law and ethics and be able to take down an accurate shorthand note when required. And contrary to popular belief it is not just the regional press looking for these skills, but nationals, online and broadcast too. Recent Sky Sports News schemes, for example, have been looking for practical skills including a minimum of 100wpm shorthand.

Student journalists can complete their NCTJ training in a number of ways - FE colleges and independent centres offer the Diploma in Journalism as fast-track and academic year courses, while universities offer it as part of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. All of these journalism courses lead to the same NCTJ qualifications and meet the same standard, allowing students to pick the one that's best for them.

It's no secret that the NCTJ has an exacting standard, and this applies not just to the qualifications but also to the course provider. All NCTJ-accredited courses have to work incredibly hard to meet the requirements in the same way that students have to work incredibly hard to achieve the gold standard. This ensures the NCTJ logo acts as a meaningful kitemark for quality journalism training.